Welcome to an 'inch of difference'.
"This inch in which we live." Richard Neville, Oz, 1971.

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."

Thursday, 25 August 2011

A Musing

There's been a subtle change of tactics from the EU; instead of just overt directives and regulations announced in its name we now also have inter-governmentalagreements with no reference to the EU's role.

The most obvious example is defence & defence procurement where we see what's called "closer co-operation" or "co-ordination" between countries:

What prompted this musing was Osborne's announcement of having negotiated "an historic deal" on tax evasion with Switzerland. The talks were said to be held in secret, yet it's been known about for ages and even mentioned here.

What rankles with me is that the impression given is that this is something negotiated between two countries without EU involvement when, in actual fact, it's at the behest of the EU and to comply with directives. Not only that but so far as I'm able to make out, the British government needed prior permission from the European Commission to open negotiations with Switzerland. No doubt we can expect future announcements from the Chancellor regarding 'historic deals' done with Lichtenstein, Monaco, Andorra and San Marino.

Another annoying example today is the reporting of the creation and development of Regional Development Agencies as John Prescott's 'dream' when we all know he was merely following orders.

Hammy died; Sammy passed away from malnutrition; Suki was resurrected. Lucky ran away. Here's Lucky's brother, Chucky:"What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare? Click my wheel to feed me.

"Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away;Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air.You'd better watch out!There may be dogs aboutI looked over Jordan, and I've seenThings are not what they seem.

That's what you get for pretending the danger's not real.Meek and obedient you follow the leaderDown well trodden corridors into the valley of steel.What a surprise!A look of terminal shock in your eyes.Now things are really what they seem.No, this is not a bad dream.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not wantHe makes me down to lieThrough pastures green He leadeth me the silent waters by.With bright knives He releaseth my soul.He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places.He converteth me to lamb cutlets,For lo, He hath great power, and great hunger.When cometh the day we lowly ones,Through quiet reflection, and great dedicationMaster the art of Judo,Lo, we shall rise up,And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water.

Bleating and babbling we fell on his neck with a scream.Wave upon wave of demented avengersMarch cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream.

Have you heard the news?The dogs are dead!You better stay homeAnd do as you're told.Get out of the road if you want to grow old."

Reform and revolutionary change that is undertaken without the explicit consent of the people, can only be maintained through force and repression.